MURPHY (St Luke’s, Cork and late of Minor Row, Millstreet): On February 19, 2016, peacefully, in the exceptional care of the staff at Brookfield Care Centre, surrounded by his family, MICHAEL F. (The Betting King and Roughty Fruit King, The English Market), dearly loved husband of the late Peggy (nee Murphy) and much loved father of Alan, Margo Ann, Garrett and Harriet. Sadly missed by his loving family, brother Mattie, sons-in-law Gerry and Des, daughter-in-law Betty, grand-children Tim, Harriet Clare, Gerry, Claudia, Dessie and Jennifer, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Lying in repose at the Coburg Street Funeral Home of Jerh O’Connor Ltd. Removal on Saturday at 4.30pm to St. Patrick’s Church, Lower Glanmire Road. Requiem Mass at 1pm on Monday. Funeral afterwards to St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Kilcully. “May he rest in peace”
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Michael ran the Roughty Fruit King in the English Market for 50 years until illness forced him to retire in 2011. His photo above is part of a wonderful black and white photo of the Roughty Fruit King stall taken in 2009 and is on InPhotos.org
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At The Roughty Fruit King stand, mother and daughter Peggy and Harriet Murphy were celebrating, but it was tinged with some sadness, as husband and dad Michael was unable to be there for the big day, due to a serious illness.
“I asked my father what he would’ve said to her if he had the chance,” said Harriet. “And he told me, ‘I’d give her a cup of tea and I’d tell her what a welcoming and forgiving nation we are.'”
– May 2011: when the Queen visited Cork (Irish Independent)
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“For fifty years, his father Michael ran the Roughty Fruit King stall in the centre of the market, until ill health came in 2011. Four generations of the Murphys worked there, in different locations, until they settled on the current stall in 1961. Nowadays, Garrett and his sister Margot Ann work in the new look foodie stall (now called The Roughty Foodie) and they have help from time to time from younger members of the family.” [Cork Billy]
2019: His daughter Margo Ann would love if anyone has any information/photos etc about Michael and his shows and dances that he ran in the 1950s in Milstreet and afar afield.
Michael was always such a wonderfully cheerful, friendly and very kind neighbour in Minor Row. He would always accord a royal welcome to all Millstreet people especially at his famous setting in Cork’s English Market. He wholeheartly held Millstreet as a truly special native place in his heart. We extend our sincere sympathy to all his family, relatives and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.